Lote Tuqiri: from unwanted Wallaby to Kangaroos train-on squad

Wests Tigers winger Lote Tuqiri has a shot at history after being one of 10 players added to Australia’s Four Nations rugby league train-on squad today.

Tuqiri, who turned 31 two days before the Tigers’ heartbreaking 13-12 semi-final loss to St George Illawarra, can become the first player to go from rugby league international, to rugby union international and back again if selected for the Kangaroos next month.

Dual international Lote Tuqiri one of five Tigers players added to the Kangaroos train-on squad. Photo: Getty Images

The Fijian-born Tuqiri scored a try in his last Test for the Kangaroos in Australia’s record-breaking 64-10 thrashing of Great Britain in Sydney in 2002 before switching codes.

He played 67 games for the Wallabies between 2003-2009 before resurrecting his rugby league career with the Tigers under current Kangaroos coach Tim Sheens.

Since rugby union went professional in 1995, no rugby league international has crossed over and returned to play for Australia - despite the likes of Mat Rogers, Wendell Sailor, Andrew Walker and Timana Tahu all making such moves.

Tuqiri’s chances of breaking back into the Kangaroos side will depend largely on grand final form and injuries but his 18-try comeback season for the Tigers gives him an outside chance.

With Test No.7 Johnathan Thurston (ankle) no certainty to be fully recovered in time for Australia’s opening Four Nations clash with PNG in Sydney on October 24, Prince could find himself reunited with his 2005 NRL premiership winning coach Sheens next month.

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Prince has played four times for Australia, but has not featured since the 2008 World Cup.Brisbane forward Corey Parker, who captained Australia’s Prime Ministers XIII to a hard fought win over PNG at the weekend, believes the hard-hitting Kumuls will be a dangerous side to meet first up in Australia’s Four Nations defence.